Redskins Winners

Redskins Winners

Rookie running back Skip Hicks of UCLA wasn't fighting for a roster spot Saturday night during the Washington Redskins' first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

Being a third-round draft pick, he would have to be a total flop not to get at least two years to show he is the Redskins' running back of the future.

What Hicks was fighting for was playing time this season. That's what training camp is all about, finding young guys who can help in a supporting role while they grow into a starting job.

Time will tell if Hicks is going to be the franchise back, but he showed something Saturday that the Redskins are lacking - big-play ability from the tailback position.

Starter Terry Allen is a genuine 1,000-yard runner, but the hard-running inside banger reaches that plateau in 4-yard increments. Hicks has the big-play ability to reach that number with fewer carries.

He rushed nine times for 51 yards Saturday night, including a breathtaking 29-yard sprint over tackle, and made himself a serious candidate for a lot of playing time this year.

If Hicks keeps doing what he did Saturday, he could pass Stephen Davis for the backup job to Allen, and he could share time with Brian Mitchell on third downs.

Winners and losers from the Redskins' 19-16 loss to the Dolphins:

WINNERS

* 1. Jamel Williams, SS. Only one starting job is up for grabs this summer, and the second-year strong safety from Nebraska could take it before the regular season begins. He had nine tackles, forced a fumble, and showed more spirit and quickness than incumbent Jesse Campbell.

* 3. Stephen Alexander, TE. The Redskins' top draft pick is going to catch a lot of passes this season. Alexander led the Redskins with five catches for 57 yards Saturday, including a 28-yarder. He's big, fast and a downfield threat, everything he is supposed to be.

* 4. Le 'Shai Maston, FB. Washington is looking for a backup at fullback, and the 242-pound free agent could be that man. He delivered some crunching blocks and caught a 10-yard pass.

LOSERS

* 1. Chris Thomas, WR. The coaches gave the third-year free agent a lot of playing time and a chance to earn a roster spot Saturday, and he blew it. Dropping two passes was bad enough, but what really hurt his cause was throwing away an easy touchdown. He found himself wide open in the back of the end zone and mindlessly stepped out of bounds before the ball arrived.

* 2. Gus Frerotte, QB. Frerotte isn't expected to be in mid-season form in August, but he's the starter and should look like he has a clue. Gus completed 5-of-11 passes for just 38 yards, threw some plug-ugly passes and was booed off the field. Not a good beginning.

* 3. Ryan Kuehl, DT. The former Virginia star parlayed a strong work ethic and an occasional good play into a steady paycheck for two years. The effort was there Saturday, but not the performance. He was blown out of the hole on running plays and missed three tackles. Kuehl also auditioned as a deep snapper and rolled the ball back to the punter.

* 4. Offensive line. It's a team game, and this unit was universally bad. Coach Norv Turner was so upset with the blockers that he singled them out during the postgame press conference. Against Miami's first- and second-team defense, the Redskins had 12 rushing yards on eight carries.

* 5. Special teams. Coverage was poor, James Thrash fumbled a punt in his territory, and a false start aborted a field goal attempt.